Ducati Works on Factory Electronics, Satellite Set-Up

The Ducati Test Team was present at this week's private Jerez test, alongside four of the new Claiming Rule Teams.

Official test rider Franco Battaini was on track throughout the three days, concentrating on electronic developments which will now be tried by factory race riders Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden at next week's official Sepang test.

“We were lucky because we had three days with very good weather conditions,” said Ducati Corse General Manage Filippo Preziosi, “and that enabled us to do quite a bit of work.

“With Franco, we continued with the test program that was planned for the Test Team over the winter, trying some aspects of the electronics that we'll keep working on with the factory riders at Sepang.

“I think we found out some interesting things that we'll soon confirm with Vale and Nicky in Malaysia, where we'll also continue working with the bike's set-up.”

In addition to Battaini, satellite Ducati race riders Karel Abraham (Cardion AB) and Hector Barbera (Pramac) each spent a day alternating with the Italian aboard the GP12 SAT. Abraham rode on day two and Barbera on day three.

“Because we had the track available here at Jerez, we also offered our satellite-team riders the opportunity to lap and to work on their respective set-ups,” said Preziosi.

No times were released for Abraham, who suffered a fiery fall, but Barbera - the best satellite rider at the first Sepang test - was said to have set a lap time of 1min 40.0sec, just 0.3sec quicker than the top CRT bike of Randy de Puniet (Aprilia ART).

Hayden had been due to ride at the Jerez test, but was forced to withdraw due to shoulder surgery. The 2006 world champion aims to be back on track at the second Sepang test, which starts on February 28.